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Hi All,

 

See:

 

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2005 Nov;11(4):224-31. Novel

approaches to radiotherapy-induced skin reactions: A literature review.

Maddocks-Jennings W, M Wilkinson J, Shillington D. Universal College

of Learning (UCOL), Faculty of Health Sciences, Private Bag 11022,

Palmerston North, New Zealand. Patients undergoing radiotherapy

treatment will receive some degree of skin damage. Internationally there

are many preventative and treatment options recommended, with

varying degrees of evidence of success. This review explores the

possible benefits of various plant-based treatments within the context of

other novel treatments. The evidence suggests that using a hydrophilic

substance such as Aloe vera gel or vegetable oil that is high in essential

fatty acids, is as effective as mild steroid creams such as 1%

hydrocortisone in reducing the severity of reactions. Additionally with

plant-based treatments there does not appear to be side effects such as

may occur with steroids. There remains great scope for further studies

either replicating some of these current studies or exploring other

options such as the use of essential oils or other herbal extracts. PMID:

16290892 [PubMed - in process]

 

Pac Health Dialog. 2004 Sep;11(2):211-5. The poisoning of 'awa: the

non-traditional use of an ancient remedy. O'Sullivan HM, Lum K. In the

traditional practice of Native Hawaiians, 'awa (Piper methysticum KAVA-

KAVA-Phil) has long been revered as a medicine, a sacred plant central

to religious ceremony, and a social drink. In the late 1990s, 'awa

attracted global attention as an herbal alternative to existing

pharmaceuticals for reducing stress, anxiety, pain and assorted

ailments. Marketed since 1994 as a dietary supplement, within seven

years 'awa had earned the title of a " superstar " and quickly became one

of the top eight herbal remedies in an expanding $18 billion-plus herbal

remedy industry. In one study, the plant was even argued to possess

chemopreventive properties, when cancer incidence and kava

consumption in Pacific island communities were correlated. In 2002,

however, the remedy was banned in several European countries, after

case reports of liver toxicity allegedly associated with its nontraditional

use surfaced. In the United States (US), the Food and Drug

Administration issued a consumer advisory leading several retailers to

voluntarily withdraw products containing 'awa from their shelves. These

actions have sent shock waves throughout Pacific Island communities

seeking to derive economic benefit from a relatively new and little-

regulated industry. Moreover, they threaten the vitality of centuries of

Native Hawaiian cultural practice. Clinical studies advocating both sides

of the safety debate have been published, as producers, marketers and

users attempt to influence government action. At the same time, issues

of cultural exploitation, religious freedom, traditional practice, and native

intellectual property rights are absent from the debate, leaving the future

of native practice hanging in the balance. Whether or not the herb's

status is restored, the situation raises critical questions: Is 'awa toxic?

Or, does the poison derive from its use outside of traditional practice?

PMID: 16281702 [PubMed - in process]

 

Hindustan Antibiot Bull. 2003 Feb-2004 Nov;45-46(1-4):34-40.

Healing-promoting action of rhinax with dual action on chronic gastric

and duodenal ulcers induced by acetic acid in rats. Dhuley JN.

Pharmacology & Toxicology section, Research & Development Division,

Hindustan Antibiotics Limited, Pimpri, Pune 411 018, India. Healing

promoting actions of Rhinax, a multiconstituent herbal preparation, was

investigated in chronic gastric and duodenal ulcer models induced by

acetic acid in rats and the effects were compared with those of

famotidine by gross of histological evaluation. Rhinax markedly

promoted the well balanced healing of gastric ulcer at oral does of 25-

100 mg/kg x 2 /day, as evidenced by the reduction of ulcer, regeneration

of mucosa and proliferation of connecitve tissue. Rhinax caused an

increase in gastric mucosa secretion in all the regenerated mucosa

around the gastric ulcers. Famotidine failed to promote the healing of

gastric ulcers at 100 mg/kg x 2/ day p.o. Rhinax also significantly

accelerated the healing of acetic acid -induced duodenal ulcers as well

famotidine. These results indicate that Rhinax is characterised by a

potent promoting action on the healing of chronic ulcers, suggesting that

the increase in gastric mucus secretion might be associated with the

antiulcer action of Rhinax in rats. PMID: 16281827 [PubMed - in

process]

 

Health Phys. 2005 Dec;89(6):679-83. Uranium concentrations in

South African herbal remedies. Steenkamp V, Stewart MJ, Chimuka L,

Cukrowska E. Department of Pharmacology, University of Pretoria,

Faculty of Health Sciences, PO Box 2034, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

vsteen South Africa contains some of the world's

largest mineral deposits, which include uranium. Uranium is mined as a

by-product of gold production. The uranium content of the surface soil

and groundwater in South Africa has been measured and shows

marked variation, depending on location. Herbal remedies are collected

by traditional healers from many sites, some of which may be

contaminated. 30 herbal remedies were analyzed using a sensitive

adsorptive stripping voltammetry method. Eight samples had levels

below the limit of detection, but in five the levels were greatly elevated,

showing concentrations above 40 ppm. The mean uranium

concentration of the remainder of the specimens was of the order of 15

ppm. We have attempted to put these data into context by comparison

with other studies of absorption of uranium by the oral route. PMID:

16282800 [PubMed - in process]

 

Best regards,

 

 

Tel: (H): +353-(0) or (M): +353-(0)

 

 

 

 

Ireland.

Tel: (W): +353-(0) or (M): +353-(0)

 

 

 

" Man who says it can't be done should not interrupt man doing it " -

Chinese Proverb

 

 

 

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